Bible Commentaries

Esther 9:14 — 5-16. Thus the Jews smote all their enemies—The effect of the two antagonistic decrees was, in the meantime, to raise a fierce and bloody war between the Jews and their enemies throughout the Persian empire; but through the dread of Esther and Mordecai, the provincial governors universally favored their cause, so that their enemies fell in great numbers.

Job 1:21 — 21. Naked— ( :-). "Mother's womb" is poetically the earth, the universal mother (Ecclesiastes 5:15; Ecclesiastes 12:7; Psalms 139:15). Job herein realizes God's assertion (Psalms 139:15- :) against Satan's (Psalms 139:15- :). Instead of cursing, he blesses the name of JEHOVAH (Hebrew). The name of Jehovah, is Jehovah Himself, as manifested to us in His attributes (Psalms 139:15- :).

Job 16:5 — 5. strengthen . . . with . . . mouth—bitter irony. In allusion to Eliphaz' boasted "consolations" ( :-). Opposed to strengthening with the heart, that is, with real consolation. Translate, "I also (like you) could strengthen with the mouth," that is, with heartless talk: "And the moving of my lips (mere lip comfort) could console (in the same fashion as you do)" [UMBREIT]. "Hearty counsel" ( :-) is the opposite.

Job 22:21 — 21. Eliphaz takes it for granted, Job is not yet "acquainted" with God; literally, "become a companion of God." Turn with familiar confidence to God. and be—So thou shalt be: the second imperatively expresses the consequence of obeying the first ( :-). peace—prosperity and restoration to Job; true spiritually also to us (Romans 5:1; Colossians 1:20). good— (Colossians 1:20- :).

Job 32:8 — 8. Elihu claims inspiration, as a divinely commissioned messenger to Job (Job 33:6; Job 33:23); and that claim is not contradicted in Job 42:4; Job 42:5. Translate: "But the spirit (which God puts) in man, and the inspiration . . . is that which giveth," c. it is not mere "years" which give understanding (Proverbs 2:6; John 20:22).

Job 36:5 — 5. Rather, "strength of understanding" (heart) the force of the repetition of "mighty"; as "mighty" as God is, none is too low to be "despised" by Him; for His "might" lies especially in "His strength of understanding," whereby He searches out the most minute things, so as to give to each his right. Elihu confirms his exhortation (Job 35:14).

Job 39:5 — 5. wild ass—Two different Hebrew words are here used for the same animal, "the ass of the woods" and "the wild ass." (See on :-; Job 39:1; Job 39:1- :; and Job 39:1- :). loosed the bands—given its liberty to. Man can rob animals of freedom, but not, as God, give freedom, combined with subordination to fixed laws.

Psalms 110:5 — 5. at thy right hand—as :-, upholding and aiding, which is not inconsistent with :-, where the figure denotes participation of power, for here He is presented in another aspect, as a warrior going against enemies, and sustained by God. strike through—smite or crush. kings—not common men, but their rulers, and so all under them (Psalms 2:2; Psalms 2:10).

Psalms 119:108 — 108. freewill offerings—the spontaneous expressions of his gratitude, as contrasted with the appointed "offerings" of the temple (Hosea 14:2; Hebrews 13:15). He determines to pursue this way, relying on God's quickening power (Hebrews 13:15- :) in affliction, and a gracious acceptance of his "spiritual sacrifices of prayer and praise" (Psalms 50:5; Psalms 50:14; Psalms 50:23).

Psalms 16:5 — 5-7. God is the chief good, and supplies all need (Deuteronomy 10:9). portion of mine inheritance and of my cup—may contain an allusion to the daily supply of food, and also to the inheritance of Levi (Deuteronomy 18:1; Deuteronomy 18:2). maintainest—or, drawest out my lot—enlargest it. Deuteronomy 18:2- : carries out this idea more fully.

Psalms 35:7 — 7, 8. net in a pit—or, "pit of their net"—or, "net-pit," as "holy hill" for "hill of holiness" ( :-); a figure from hunting ( :-). Their imprecations on impenitent rebels against God need no vindication; His justice and wrath are for such; His mercy for penitents. Compare Psalms 7:16; Psalms 11:5, on the peculiar fate of the wicked here noticed.

Psalms 81:5 — 5. a testimony—The feasts, especially the passover, attested God's relation to His people. Joseph—for Israel (Psalms 80:1). went out through—or, "over," that is, Israel in the exodus. I heard—change of person. The writer speaks for the nation. language—literally, "lip" (Psalms 14:1). An aggravation or element of their distress that their oppressors were foreigners (Deuteronomy 28:49).

Song of Solomon 2:2 — 2. Jesus Christ to the Bride (Matthew 10:16; John 15:19; 1 John 5:19). Thorns, equivalent to the wicked (2 Samuel 23:6; Psalms 57:4). daughters—of men, not of God; not "the virgins." "If thou art the lily of Jesus Christ, take heed lest by impatience, rash judgments, and pride, thou thyself become a thorn" [LUTHER].

Isaiah 22:25 — 25. nail . . . fastened—Shebna, who was supposed to be firmly fixed in his post. burden . . . upon it—All that were dependent on Shebna, all his emoluments and rank will fail, as when a peg is suddenly "cut down," the ornaments on it fall with it. Sin reaches in its effects even to the family of the guilty (Exodus 20:5).

Isaiah 27:11 — 11. boughs . . . broken off—so the Jews are called (Romans 11:17; Romans 11:19; Romans 11:20). set . . . on fire—burn them as fuel; "women" are specified, as probably it was their office to collect fuel and kindle the fire for cooking. no understanding—as to the ways of God (Deuteronomy 32:28; Deuteronomy 32:29; Jeremiah 5:21; Hosea 4:6).

Isaiah 3:14 — 14. ancients—Hence they are spoken of as "taken away" (Isaiah 3:1; Isaiah 3:2). vineyard—the Jewish theocracy (Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalms 80:9-13). eaten up—"burnt"; namely, by "oppressive exactions" (Psalms 80:9-19.80.13- :). Type of the crowning guilt of the husbandmen in the days of Jesus Christ (Psalms 80:9-19.80.13- :). spoil . . . houses— (Psalms 80:9-19.80.13- :).

Isaiah 30:2 — 2. walk—are now setting out, namely, their ambassadors ( :-). Egypt—See on :-; Isaiah 30:2. Pharaoh—the generic name of the kings of Egypt, as Cæsar was at Rome. The word in Egyptian means "king" [JOSEPHUS, Antiquities, 8.6,2]. Phra, "the sun," was the hieroglyphic symbol and title of the king. shadow—image from shelter against heat: protection (Psalms 121:5; Psalms 121:6).

Isaiah 45:5 — 5. (Isaiah 42:8; Isaiah 43:3; Isaiah 43:11; Isaiah 44:8; Isaiah 46:9). girded thee—whereas "I will loose (the girdle off) the loins of kings" (Isaiah 46:9- :), strengthening thee, but enfeebling them before thee. though . . . not known me— (Isaiah 45:4). God knows His elect before they are made to know Him (Galatians 4:9; John 15:16).

Isaiah 50:9 — 9. (Compare "deal," or "proper," Isaiah 52:13, Margin; Isaiah 53:10; Psalms 118:6; Jeremiah 23:5). as a garment— (Isaiah 51:6; Isaiah 51:8; Psalms 102:26). A leading constituent of wealth in the East is change of raiment, which is always liable to the inroads of the moth; hence the frequency of the image in Scripture.

Isaiah 7:25 — 25. shall be—rather, "were once." digged—in order to plant and rear vines (Isaiah 5:6). there shall not come—that is, none shall come who fear thorns, seeing that thorns shall abound on all sides [MAURER]. Otherwise, "Thou shalt not come for fear of thorns" [GESENIUS]. Only cattle shall be able to penetrate the briery ground. lesser cattle—sheep and goats.